Two Westerville PD officers, Officer Eric Joering and Officer Anthony Morelli, were shot responding to a domestic call on Saturday, Feb. 10.  The 911 call came from the residence of Quentin L. Smith who met the officers with a handgun.

“The officers gave their lives in defense of others,” Westerville Police Chief Joe Morbitzer said during a press briefing the day of the event where he referred to them as “true American heroes.”

Officer Joering died on the scene while Officer Morelli was rushed to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center where he later died.  Officer Joering, who has a wife and four daughters, served on the force for 16 years and Officer Morelli, with a wife and two children, was a 29-year veteran.

“When I first heard the news, I was shocked this could happen so close to home, but also angered because police officers are people who wake up every day and put their life on the line to protect our citizens, yet they’re treated like they don’t,” daughter of a Columbus SWAT officer, Abigail O. ‘19 said.

Westerville responded with a powerful community response.  A large number came to Morelli’s SUV parked in front of City Hall and layed flags, flowers, handwritten notes or simply paid their respect.  City employees and volunteers tied blue ribbons on trees, benches and posts down State St. through the heart of Westerville. The Fraternal Order of Police set up a Go Fund Me for the families with an original goal of  raising 50 thousand dollars but was soon surpassed and has since raised over 575 thousand dollars.

“The response of the community is beautiful,” Abigail said. “As the daughter of a police 0officer, I was very touched to see the recognition and admiration they deserve being shown by the community.”

On Friday Feb. 16 there was an open funeral for the officers. Westerville Schools were given a day off for the event.  Police from every corner of Ohio came to show their support and there were even officers from as far as New York and Colorado.

OLSD has shown its support for the officers as well.  Olentangy Teachers Association volunteered their services to be a substitute teacher for Westerville teachers who wanted to attend the services before Westerville announced a calamity day.  At Berkshire Middle School, where Officer Morelli’s son teaches, the PTO collected five thousand dollars in donations for the families of the fallen officers. Additionally, on Feb. 15 students all across the district wore blue to school to honor them.

“This tragic event has brought the community closer together as we grieve and empathize for the families affected,” Abigail said.

Morbitzer furthers this by saying community unity in honoring the fallen police is how they will continue on into the future.

“We move forward by honoring those two fantastic officers. That’s how we move forward,” Mortbitzer said during a news conference the week following the tragedy.